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Bruins Sign Defenseman Matt Bartkowski

by
Staff Writer
/ Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, July 12, that the club has signed defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a one-year, two-way contract through the 2012-13 season. Bartkowski’s deal is worth $660,000 at the NHL level and $62,500 at the AHL level.

Bartkowski began the 2011-12 season in Boston, skating in three NHL games before being assigned to the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins on October 20, 2011. The defenseman then appeared in 50 games for Providence, where he tallied three goals to go along with 19 assists and 38 penalty minutes.

In 2010-11, the 6’1”, 203-pound native of Pittsburgh, PA recorded 5-18=23 totals with 42 penalty minutes in 69 games with Providence. Bartkowski led all club defensemen with 23 points and was also named the Best Defenseman in voting by his teammates at the conclusion of the season.

In addition to his time spent in Providence, Bartkowski appeared in six NHL games with Boston, where he registered four penalty minutes. His first three NHL games, played over three separate recalls from Providence, all came against his hometown Pittsburgh Penguins. For his career, Bartkowski has played in nine NHL games, all with the Bruins, recording four penalty minutes.

Bartkowski was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (190th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. On March 3, 2010, the 24-year-old was traded along with Dennis Seidenberg to Boston in exchange for Byron Bitz, Craig Weller and Tampa Bay’s 2010 second-round draft pick (Alexander Petrovic).

Prior to joining Providence, Bartkowski played collegiate hockey for Ohio State University from 2008-10, where he finished with 11-27=38 totals and 145 penalty minutes in 80 games. In 2008-09, he became the first Buckeyes defenseman in 10 years to be named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team, in addition to earning team Most Valuable Freshman and Best Defensive Player honors.